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BUCKS COUNTY BEEKEEPERS ASSOCIATION

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Significant decline in brood

  • July 25, 2023 7:52 PM
    Quote
    Message # 13232306
    Deleted user

    I have 2 hives which were both started as nucs on May 20, 2023.  The first hive I thought had been doing very well as there is almost a full box full of capped honey and a second box 75% full of capped honey.  In the lower 2 medium boxes is where my brood has been.  However, there has been a significant decline in brood...both capped and larvae/eggs over the past 2 weeks.  They are filling it up with honey instead.  2 weeks ago I added another medium box between the 2 lower brood boxes and the 2 upper honey supers.  I haven't seen a lot of pollen, so I added a protein patty on Sunday.  I'm just really worried as out of the bottom 2 medium 8 frames only 3-4 have brood.  And of each of those frames the brood make up 30% of the frame.  Suggestions?  Oh, last mite check was 2 weeks ago (sugar wash) and we had 6 mites seen.  We treated with oxacilic acid dribble.  Due for sugar roll this weekend.
  • July 26, 2023 10:51 AM
    Quote
    Reply # 13232506 on 13232306
    Kurt (Administrator)

    Its normal to see a decrease in brood as the nectar and pollen sources decrease.   Different queens deal with the lack of incoming resources differently.   I think as long as you are seeing fresh eggs and larva - I would not worry too much about the reduced brood.   As far as the mite treatment of OAdribble - this may not be very effective since you have brood so you may consider an alternative like ApiVar or if/when temps cool down Formic.  Since you have supers on still(noApiVar)  and temps are high treatments (no Formic)  can be tricky.   It goes without mention timing is important and you are working around a number of factors that need to be considered.   Please let us know on the follow up mite count post dribble - I am curious if there is any impact.
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